at started on a rainy Sunday afternoon in Sidmouth.....a stroll around the town to get bearings and a stretch after the very long coach journey from Epping Forest, Essex. No sooner had we returned to the hotel, than the sun came out! And all of a sudden Sidmouth ice cream sales went through the roof!
Over a period of four days walking we covered much of the Sidmouth area, including a walk from the Donkey Sanctuary back to Sidmouth....
Over a period of four days walking we covered much of the Sidmouth area, including a walk from the Donkey Sanctuary back to Sidmouth....
Now this group of walkers have been long distance ramblers in the past but time is taking a toll....but that doesn't stop them!
On day two, we walked from Otterton to Sidmouth via Ladram Bay and what fantastic views there were, along with some steep climbs. One lady ventured up to High Peak to see the full view, escorted by me of course!
On day two, we walked from Otterton to Sidmouth via Ladram Bay and what fantastic views there were, along with some steep climbs. One lady ventured up to High Peak to see the full view, escorted by me of course!
We spent the third day walking along the Seaton - Lyme Regis undercliff. Now that path is not easy going at all and once you are on it there is no getting off! We braved the golf course, read the "alert difficult terrain" sign, put on the sun screen and walked on... Well the coach was meeting us at Lyme Regis and there is no phone signal along the cliff. So on we walked and the terrain became a familiar route of wooden steps followed by roots and slippery mud, more steps, more steps and more roots - up and down - up and down but we plodded on. This would be straightforward but you must remember this group are not as strong as they used to be but with true British spirit, they walked on and reached Lyme Regis in time for an ice cream before jumping on the coach. It was an achievement and goes to show that you don't need to let life stop you doing what you enjoy.
On the fourth day, we did a lovely gentle circuit of Branscombe which did end with a super cream tea at the Old Bakery - a must if you are visiting Devon. The beautiful peacock was found at a caravan site we walked through - a welcome pause for a photo after the first hill! A steady walk and a great opportunity to take it easy and enjoy lunch overlooking Branscombe beach before strolling up through the valley to the bakery and the bus. Such lovely company to walk with - this group helped me to learn to take it easy and enjoy the views and take time to notice the nature of the area more and each other's company - thank you Epping HF Group!